Press Digest for Wednesday March 26, 2014

The following are summaries of today's major stories published in the Arabic press. LBCI does not edit press digest articles for content, giving English-language readers insight into the various views expressed in newspapers across the Arab world.

• Head of the Mar Takla Convent Mother Plagia Sayyaf: A Lebanese officer asked me to thank Qatar and al-Nusra Front

Head of the Mar Takla Convent Mother Plagia Sayyaf told Acharq al-Awsat newspaper on Wednesday that the statements launched by Maaloula's nuns upon their release came under the request of a Lebanese officer who asked them to thank Qatar and al-Nusra Front.

Mother Plagia added that the al-Nusra Front treated the abducted nuns well, noting however that they refuse the practices of the group against the Syrian people.

• LF MP Georges Adwan: LF may submit Geagea's candidacy for the presidential elections

Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan told al-Anbaa newspaper on Wednesday that the Lebanese Forces party is studying the possibility of submitting the candidacy of LF leader Samir Geagea to the presidential elections.

Adwan added that the party did not take a final decision in this regard, noting that deliberations are still to be made with March 14 camp.

As for the rapprochement between the Free Patriotic Movement and the Future Movement, Adwan stressed that the LF party encourages any rapprochement between Lebanese parties.

• Minister of Justice Ashraf Rifi: Cabinet may take procedures to end security chaos in Tripoli

Minister of Justice Ashraf Rifi told al-Seyassah newspaper on Wednesday that the Cabinet may take during its Thursday's session procedures and measures to put an end for the security chaos in the northern city of Tripoli.

Rifi added that the ministries of Defense and Interior have plans to stop the tensions in the city, stressing however that there are some obstacles related to eliminating the reasons behind the tensions.